Custom Companions: 5 Custom Compact Pistols From Cylinder & Slide

For over 30 years, Bill Laughridge and the crew at Cylinder & Slide (C&S) have been performing quality custom work on a wide variety of firearms. While the company is best known for its work on 1911s, it also offers packages for some of the most popular defensive and pocket pistols.

In 1997, long before the current crop of micro 1911s were even thought of, Laughridge decided to produce the “smallest” .45 ACP 1911 on the market. The Adventurer is built in-house at Cylinder & Slide with a shortened slide and frame for enhanced concealed carry. The result is a 1911 that is a mere 4.5 inches in height and 7 inches in length when equipped with a C&S beavertail grip safety. A Bar-Sto, 3-inch, match-grade, bull barrel is installed along with a captured dual recoil spring unit. Standard 1911 magazines are cut down to fit in the reduced frame and hold five rounds. What makes the Adventurer exceptional is its complete reliability. For those who want the ultimate pocket pistol, the Adventurer fills the bill.

Pocket Upgrades

C&S was one of the first companies to recognize the amazing potential of compact Kahr pistols. Three different packages are currently offered for Kahr’s K and P series pistols in .380 ACP, 9mm, .40 and .45 ACP. The basic work includes a trigger job, a re-crowned barrel and a reliability package. Other options include beveling the edges of the slide and the installation of XS 24/7 Express sights with tritium inserts. The Level III package adds a full carry bevel, 30-lpi serrations on the top of the slide and a 360-degree stippled finish on the frame. Cylinder & Slide’s work on Kahr pistols has caught the eye of civilians and law enforcement alike, and accounts for a substantial amount of the shop’s work.

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For many years, most pistoleros considered the Smith & Wesson J-Frame the quintessential pocket gun. C&S offers a number of options for J-Frames, with the most popular being trigger work and a carry bevel. The Model 640 shown in the photos was carried in an ankle rig for several years and had the typical dents, dings and wear of a well-used law enforcement backup. C&S did a trigger job, radiused and polished the face of the trigger, and chamfered the cylinder holes for easier reloads. They then milled off the factory ramp and installed a dovetailed front sight blade with a gold bead insert. Finally, C&S gave the gun a heavy bead-blasted finish to cover up the serious wear marks and brightly polished the cylinder flutes, the band at the rear of the cylinder and the cylinder latch screw. The result is a great-looking revolver that reflects the skill of the C&S gunsmiths.

C&S has not ignored the Glock and offers several packages for all Glock models. Cylinder & Slide reworked a G26 that was my patrol backup for several years. The upgrades included a trigger job, frontstrap stippling and barrel recrowning. I also requested that the front of the triggerguard be rounded. The shop refinished the Glock 26 in a two-tone Cerakote finish. I continued to carry the gun for several years.

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Finally, while arguably not a true “pocket pistol,” I would be remiss in not highlighting Bill Laughridge’s 2008 Pocket Hammerless. Bill designed a .45 ACP pistol that reflects the lines of the Colt 1903 Pocket Hammerless. The Pocket Hammerless is a limited-production custom pistol that reflects Laughridge’s ingenuity, creativity and skill. Give it a look if you’re in the market for the ultimate carry .45.

For more information, visit http://www.cylinder-slide.com or call 800-448-1713.